Oral history interview with Michele and John Pagan
Title
Oral history interview with Michele and John Pagan
Description
Michele and John Pagan discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives in East Dorset, Vermont. They describe changing their routines due to John Pagan's comprised health as well as their experiences surrounding his mother's hospitalization and subsequent funeral in Ohio. John Pagan talks about his interest in music and the pivot into taking remote piano lessons through Bennington College in 2020. Michele Pagan briefly mentions presentations she did over Zoom for the Bennington Museum. They also touch on leaving the state to get Burger King, their positive thoughts about Zoom, and their negative thoughts about remote work. They finish the interview by reflecting on their experience contracting COVID in 2024 and sharing their hopes for how people remember both Trump's and Biden's responses to the pandemic.
At the time of this interview in 2024, Michele and John Pagan, a married couple, had been living in East Dorset, Vermont, for about eight years. Michele Pagan was a textile conservator and still working in a semi-retired capacity. She was originally from the area around Bennington, Vermont, but left the state shortly after graduating from the University of Vermont. She met John Pagan, who was originally from Ohio, during his 21-year career in the U.S. Navy. Following his military career, John Pagan worked as a financial consultant. The couple lived in Washington, DC, for almost 30 years and then chose to settle in Vermont for their retirement.
Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-251676-OMS-22.
At the time of this interview in 2024, Michele and John Pagan, a married couple, had been living in East Dorset, Vermont, for about eight years. Michele Pagan was a textile conservator and still working in a semi-retired capacity. She was originally from the area around Bennington, Vermont, but left the state shortly after graduating from the University of Vermont. She met John Pagan, who was originally from Ohio, during his 21-year career in the U.S. Navy. Following his military career, John Pagan worked as a financial consultant. The couple lived in Washington, DC, for almost 30 years and then chose to settle in Vermont for their retirement.
Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-251676-OMS-22.
Date
2024-07-22
Subject
Source
Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project
Identifier
AudioFileCOVID-047
Format
MP3
WAV
Type
Audio file
Rights
Permission to publish material from the Collecting COVID-19: A Vermont Story Project may be obtained from the Vermont Historical Society.
Interviewer
Gustin, Amanda Kay
Interviewee
Pietryka-Pagan, Michele
Pagan, John
Duration
49 min., 16 sec.
Repository
Vermont Historical Society Library, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641-4215
Collection
Citation
“Oral history interview with Michele and John Pagan,” Digital Vermont: A Project of the Vermont Historical Society, accessed April 3, 2025, https://digitalvermont.org/vtcovid/AudioFileCOVID-047.